The dryer It has quickly become a favorite kitchen tool that everyone from the most inexperienced chef to expert baker can enjoy. It’s versatile, easy to use, and it allows people to enjoy healthier versions of their favorite foods.
But the air fryer, like other small kitchen appliances, needs regular cleaning and proper cleaning to avoid damage. Before that, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know about keeping your air fryer clean and in good working order – and, with the help of the experts, we’ve identified the best practices. to solve common problems, from sticky buildup to burning odors.
According to the experts we spoke with, cleaning the air fryer doesn’t require any special cleaning products or “cleaning tools” – regular dish soap does the job. this. Oliver Chan, head of customer experience at Dash, and Ethan Kudler, associate director of product development at Dash Dashsays, “We recommend hand washing in the dishwasher while using a non-abrasive sponge and dish soap.”
While you don’t need anything other than a sponge and dish soap to clean your air fryer regularly, it’s important to use the right sponge. Skip the use of sanding sponges, including those scrubbed with a kitchen sponge, which can wash away the air fryer’s non-stick coating. If you need to use a scrub sponge to remove trapped food, the Dobie Non-Scratch Pad is the right sponge to use.
Chan and Kudler provided the following cleaning tips to make sure your air fryer lasts a long time:
- Do not use metal objects or anything abrasive to scrape off sticky food – soak in warm, soapy water and scrub.
- Always let the appliance cool down before washing.
- Do not soak in water after use, as rapid temperature changes can warp the non-stick coating.
- While most air fryers come with dishwasher-safe ingredients, if you want to ensure the longevity of the non-stick coating, you should wash it by hand.
The experts we spoke with recommend cleaning the air fryer after each use, although they say it’s not a hard and fast rule. “It really depends on what you’re doing,” said Regina Chaperon and Kara Shilalie, who created Air fryer addict to record their favorite air fryer recipes. “If it’s not too greasy, like french fries, it doesn’t make a big mess, you can skip cleaning.”
However, in most cases, Chaperon and Shilalie clean their air fryers after cooking. They say: “We usually clean immediately with a gentle dish soap and a soft sponge. “For super heavy, greasy mixes, we guarantee an instant soak.”
“If you have cooked something greasy,” Chaperon and Shilalie say, “make sure you soak it right away. We’ve seen quite a few hacks on TikTok and Instagram, but we’ve found sponges and hot water dish soaps work best.”
Chan and Kudler agree that soaking is the best method for cleaning up the more stubborn messes of an air fryer, and share what they call an “enhanced version of the method” letting it soak “” :
- Mix dish soap and about an inch of water in a basket.
- Place it back in the slot and switch to 200 degrees F for about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Once done, pour out the water and wipe it clean.
Chan and Kudler also offer a tip to prevent the build-up of sticky oil deposits on the air fryer. “Oil stickiness usually occurs when the temperature is too high; you will end up with that sticky residue,” they explain. To avoid this, they recommend using oils with a higher smoke point like avocado oil.
If the air fryer is not cleaned properly, odors can develop and those lingering odors can transfer to your food, causing it to taste horrible.
The problem could also be that you were so eager to use your new air fryer that you didn’t take the time to run it for the recommended time before use. “An air fryer also often has a chemical smell on first use,” says Chan and Kudler. “This is common – it’s scum from a burning factory. That’s why you should run the air fryer for 10 to 15 minutes before using it.”
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Fortunately, there is a very simple and inexpensive solution. “Baking soda and water are all it takes to get rid of residual odors, including manufacturing residue, in the air fryer,” Chan and Kudler say. Sprinkle baking soda on a wet sponge and clean the basket the way you would with dish soap, or use Chan and Kudler’s enhanced soak method, substituting baking soda for dish soap.
We asked the experts we spoke with what products they recommend to reduce cleaning time and tips on using them effectively.
“We like to use foil under the basket to clean up, especially if we’re making something like steak or chicken where there’s a lot of grease coming out,” says Chaperon and Shilalie. They add that before using any type of liner, it’s important to consult your air fryer’s manual to make sure it will be compatible with yours.
The foil liner can be used to clean up after cooking greasy meats in a snap, and can also make transporting baked goods from the air fryer to the set-up super easy. Simply remove from the air fryer, let cool and then cover – no need to transfer to takeout containers.
Chaperon and Shilalie love the perforated parchment liners, which they say make cleaning the air fryer super easy — but using it correctly is crucial. “When using parchment,” say Chan and Kudler, “it is important to place food on top before you turn on the appliance — the fan used to circulate air can cause the paper to catch fire if left too close to the heater. element.”
If drift parchment is a concern but you like the idea of a paper backing, the more structured, basket-style paper backing is a good alternative to perforated parchments.
